We all know that a Disney World vacation can be expensive. For families looking to experience the “Disney Bubble” on a tight budget, staying at a value resort is a great option! These five hotels offer all the benefits of being in Walt Disney World without the high prices of moderate and deluxe resorts. But, is staying at a value resort right for you? Here are the pros, cons, and everything you need to know before you book a reservation at any of the Disney value resorts.

What Is a Value Resort?

There are over 25 resort options on Disney World property, which can be overwhelming for families planning their first Disney vacation. Currently, Disney categorizes their resorts in four different groups including Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, and Deluxe Resort Villas.

A Value Resort is the most economical, budget-friendly resort option on property. Value resort standard rooms start at approximately $117/night but average a bit higher throughout the year closer to $175/night. As the lowest category on the totem pole, value resorts do not come with all the bells and whistles that deluxe resorts do, but, this does NOT mean that they are lacking in fun or quality!

Anyone staying at any Disney resort, including value resorts gain access to many Walt Disney World resort perks. This includes Early Theme Park Entry (giving you access to the parks 30 minutes prior to regular opening time every day of the week), complimentary Disney transportation (to/from all four theme parks, both water parks, and Disney Springs), free theme park parking if guests would rather drive their own cars to the parks, the ability to purchase and pre-book Lightning Lane reservations earlier than other guests, and more.

Which Resorts are Considered Value Resorts?

The following resorts are Value Resorts on Disney World property:

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort

What Accommodations Do Value Resorts Offer?

With the exception of some rooms at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, all value resorts offer rooms that are approximately 260 sq. ft. and sleep up to four guests. These rooms typically consist of one queen bed and 1 pull-down queen bed. Some rooms do offer an option for one king bed instead.

Disney’s All-Star Music and Art of Animation offer a limited number of Family Suites. These suites sleep up to six guests, featuring a bedroom with one queen bed, a living area that includes a double-size sleeper sofa and double-size table bed, two full size bathrooms, and a small kitchenette. The rooms also include a microwave, fridge, storage cabinets, and a coffee maker.

With the exception of family suites at Art of Animation, all value resorts have exterior hallways and exterior doors, set up similarly to a motel.

Differences Between Value Resorts and Other Categories

There are some significant differences between the pools, dining options, and amenities offered at value resorts compared to other resort categories. Here’s what to expect.

Pools

While Moderate and Deluxe resorts offer variations of slides and kids’ aquatic areas, none of the pools at any of the five value resorts have slides of any kind. There are no hot tubs at any of the five value resorts either. However, to counter this, value resort pools are some of the largest pools on property. They are heavily themed, and each value resort has multiple pools to choose from.

It’s important to note that the main pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort does include a small toddler splash pad area that consists of water bubblers and sprayers. It is the only value resort option with this upgrade.

All pools features free activities daily hosted by Disney Cast Members, such as Disney trivia and dance parties. Paid activities are sometimes offered poolside as well, including tie dying shirts or making souvenirs to bring home.

Dining

All five value resorts have a food court on resort grounds that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A variety of snacks are offered here as well. Each also has a pool bar that offers drinks and small bites during limited hours each day. However, there are no other food options on value resort property. This differs from Moderate and Deluxe resorts, which feature at least one table service restaurant.

The food court can be a great perk for families with small children or picky eaters, as many of the food options to choose from are crowd pleasers like burgers, chicken, pizza, and pastas. Is it the best food Disney World has to offer? No. BUT! We’ve never been disappointed by the food that we’ve had in the food courts when staying at value resorts. It’s not fancy, but it does the job.

Whole pizzas are also available and can be a great option after a long park day for families who are trying to maintain a budget. Grab a pizza, head back to the room, and watch some Disney Resort TV!

Transportation

Transportation options are more limited at Disney value resorts compared to the other resort categories. The three Disney All-Star Resorts offer bus transportation to and from all four theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort do have the added benefit of being on the Disney Skyliner route to take you to and from EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Bus transportation is offered to the other theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.

No value resorts offer boat or monorail transportation.

Amenities

Disney value resorts are about as “no frills” as it gets. There are pools, a shop, arcades, food courts, and miscellaneous family games such as ping pong or cornhole, but that is about it. For guests looking for a spa, gym, multiple shops, or any additional amenities, it will not be found at any value resorts.

Moderate and Deluxe Resorts offer more of those types of amenities.

Theming

All Walt Disney World Resorts are heavily themed, regardless of their category and that includes value resorts. Part of the experience of being in the “Disney bubble” is to immerse yourself in the story, no matter what that story might be!

While Moderate and Deluxe resorts often have more elegant or subtle theming, value resorts appeal to the youngest Disney travelers, immersing guests in larger-than-life recreations of Disney and Pixar movies.

Art of Animation takes you into the world of Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Cars, and The Little Mermaid. And, if you’re looking to go back through the decades, head to Pop Century Resort! Each building is themed after a different decade of the past with some fun trivia along the way!

For any Toy Story lover, All-Star Movies is the place to be with Buzz, Woody, and friends just steps outside your door. And, All-Star Music and All-Star Sports are heavily themed in their respective categories, with Disney influences around every corner.

There’s no mistaking that you’re in Disney World when you stay at a value resort, that’s for sure!

Who Should Consider Value Resorts for Their Vacation?

There’s a Disney resort for everyone — the important part is just finding the right one! Here are some key points to consider to help you decide if a value resort is the right fit for your next vacation.

Value resorts are best for:

• Guests looking to spend the majority of their time in the parks
• Families with small children, especially children interested in any movies these resorts are themed to
• Guests on a tighter budget
• Guests looking to save money on a resort to allocate a budget for another experience instead
• Families looking for rooms that sleep 6
• Guests who are okay with fewer resort amenities

Value resorts are NOT a good fit for:

• Guests looking to spend the majority of their time at the resort
• Non-park Disney trips
• Guests who enjoy eating at multiple dining options at their resort
• Guests looking for more amenities like pool slides, spas, and entertainment
• Guests needing larger suites
• Guests who want more convenient transportation options

Comments

Do you enjoy staying at Disney Value Resorts? Let us know in the comments why or why not!